Introduction
Aloha,
Welcome to the Halua Hei Ka HeiHei O Na Keiki! You are now visiting the photo gallery and continuing story of our Kauai children's string figure halau. You can continue reading about Halau Hei or click the link to enter Enter The Gallery
Early in 2004 we were asked if we could teach a group of home school families the string figure Wailua as they were studying The Wailua area of Kauai. We considered the difficulty of that figure and decided that if they wanted to try we would certainly love to have the opportunity to work with them. Two sessions of about an hour and a half each left no doubt of their interest and their ability to learn this complex figure. What a delightful time working with them!
Soon after we were asked if we might teach this group on a bimonthly basis and we agreed to work out a program and schedule to try this out over the next three months. Here was the birth of our Halau Hei. As we progressed from session to session it became apparent that na keiki (the children) were truly interested and capable of doing the work involved. During the quarter the group grew and drop-ins became frequent. As the quarter drew to a close we were asked to continue on a weekly basis to which we agreed and the pace quickened. The Ho`ike at the end of the quarter found nine haumana (students) capable of understanding, teaching and performing 12 Na Hei (string figures) and thereby earning a Red String Loop evidencing their skills. The group continued into the second quarter gaining speed and moving along so that at the close of the quarter on October 26, they had mastered 30 Na Hei and new students earned their Red string loop for their first 12 Na Hek and others had earned their Orange string loop evidencing their next 12 Na Hei.
As we take a break for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays we look forward to a new quarter start at the first of January. In the meantime look to find us at Hanapepe Halloween Festival, The Peace Festival, Veterans' Day Parade in Kapa`a, The Circle of Lights during Thanksgiving Weekend (our haumana will be demonstrating their abilities) and perhaps at the Hanapepe Christmas celebration.
The halau meets alternate Thursdays at the Anini Beach Pavilion just west of the boat ramp and on alternate Tuesdays at the home of Mark & Deb Gehrke in Anahola. Contact Lois & Earl at 826-9878 to determine the place of meeting so that you can drop-in for your exposure to this craft. The halau quarter sessions last 10 sessions and cost $50.00 payable in advance and drop-in sessions are $10.00. All paid sessions get Lois' Owl E-mail which contains all the class notes and instructions for the figures taught that day. Halau members get all the Owl E-mails for the quarter regardless of attendance.
For more about string figures visit our web site at www.stringfigure.com
